LBS vs. INSEAD

Congrats for LBS, i have also been admitted for Aug'11 and will accept with no doubt. I'm also from the Middle East, and working in Management Consulting in the UAE.
Definitely INSEAD has a great reputation in the region, but LBS as well!!! However, i agree that INSEAD's network is bigger and maybe more active, but that doesn't mean that opportunities are less for LBS grads! For instance, if you look at the latest employment reports of both schools, you notice how LBS grads are better paid (though there were 4% of MBA2010 Class who worked in the Middle East)... Plus if we're talking UAE, historically the relations with London are very strong, and the top business people of the country are British, which influences the perception of LBS grads...

I suggest, if you plan to work into management consulting, and the program length is a critical issue for u, then apply INSEAD... Else, go for LBS, it has many more advantages! But anyways, you have to accept your seat at LBS by the end of Jan'11, so u won't have time to wait for INSEAD's decision.

All the luck

Whatever you do, you can´t decide wrong, both are amazing schools!!! And both are clearly the best business schools in Europe.
Congratulations for your admission!

Believe both schools are on par in terms of reputation globally (bias: recent LBS grad ). Some quick facts and advantages for each program:

LBS:
- Location, location, location (better ability to network with companies and do project work, plus just living in one of the best cities of the world)
- 21 month program, so you can do 1 or 2 summer internships over 3 month period (great for career switchers)
- Very flexible curriculum in 2nd year (ability to do more internships or projects)
- Can also graduate early in 15 or 18 months (but still have to pay full tuition)
- Smaller class size (400)
- Exchange program to 30 other business schools worldwide (including top schools in the US like Wharton, MIT, Kellogg, Booth, Columbia etc.)

INSEAD:
- 1 year program, means less costs (less lost income, less total tuition, lower living expenses compared to London)
- Jan intake allows for short 6 week summer internship
- Large class size (800+ per year)
- Ability to study at Singapore campus
- Due to larger class size, and fact that LBS only became a top business school over the past decade, INSEAD probably has the stronger and larger global network at the moment